World Cup 2014 roundup: Surprising Mexico moving on, but can the U.S. follow?

Mexico entered this World Cup regarded as one of the worst teams in the tournament.

They have played like one of the best.

A three-goal explosion over 10 second-half minutes Monday pushed Mexico past Croatia and into the tourney's second round with a 3-1 victory.

Mexico's advancement marks a startling turnaround under coach Miguel Herrera, who deserves all the plaudits he is offered for righting the course for El Tri.

Herrera took the job in October on an interim basis after leading Club America to the Mexican league title. The team had floundered in World Cup qualifying, winning only two of 10 matches and just barely finishing fourth ahead of Panama thanks to some help from the United States.

To many, Mexico had become an argument for why the CONCACAF region, which includes North and Central America and the Caribbean, should be allotted fewer spots in the World Cup. A team that wins just one-fifth of its matches against ostensibly weaker competition does not belong in the World Cup, the logic goes.

Herrera promptly led Mexico to a 9-3 victory over New Zealand in a two-match intercontinental playoff that secured Mexico's spot in the World Cup.

But questions about Mexico lingered into the tournament.

Now, those questions are gone. With goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa red hot and Manchester United striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez finally breaking his goal slump in Monday's win, Mexico looks like the unheralded team nobody wants to face. And they have the manager that you almost have to love. (Yes, that is Herrera below celebrating Mexico's second goal against Croatia.)

Then again, up next for Mexico is a very heralded team nobody wants to face: The Netherlands.

Monday's World Cup scores

Netherlands 2, Chile 0

Spain 3, Australia 0

Brazil 4, Cameroon 1

Mexico 3, Croatia 1

Two down, one to go

Mexico's win puts two CONCACAF teams through to the second round. Costa Rica is already through.

Never before have three CONCACAF teams advanced to the second round in the same tournament. In fact, Europe and South America are the only continents to send three teams to the second round in the same World Cup. Honduras has no shot this time, but one other CONCACAF team does: The United States.

Mexico's Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez finally broke his goal slump on Monday, which could give a major boost to his team's chances for a deep run in the tourney. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)Ricardo Mazalan

Should three teams advance, it would dramatically alter the narrative for CONCACAF. The continental confederation is generally viewed as one of the world's weakest, behind those representing Europe, South America and even Africa.

And generally, you could just beat your chest a little more.The advancement of three teams and a deeper run by at least one of them would boost the reputations of the countries within CONCACAF. It would likely bring a corresponding boost to its top leagues, notably Major League Soccer, which has been mining talent from the smaller countries throughout the region such as Costa Rica and Honduras.

History awaits: What must the U.S. do?

So what does Team USA need to do to make this history? It's simple.

Win: Move on.

Draw: Move on.

Lose: Hope for the best in Portugal-Ghana. Portugal needs a blowout win to overtake the Americans. Ghana needs to both win and surpass the U.S. in total goal differential. (They are currently two goals behind.)

Jermaine Jones, one of five German-Americans on the U.S. roster, has been the best U.S. player in the tournament. Here, he celebrates scoring his first World Cup goal against Portgual on Sunday. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)Themba Hadebe

Some have questioned whether both Germany and the U.S. should go easy on each other, settle for a draw, and then both would advance to the second round. It's a fair question, because if either loses, they could go home.

But there is plenty of motivation for the U.S. to go for the win.

Whoever wins the group will get a much easier draw in the second round. The loser will draw Belgium. The winner will get either Algeria, Russia or South Korea, none of whom should strike fear into your heart.

Further, Jurgen Klinsmann's team has a history of playing until the end no matter what. It was American Graham Zusi's stoppage-time goal in a meaningless game for the U.S. that knocked Panama out of World Cup qualifying and preserved Mexico's place in the tournament.

Germany is no easy opponent, but Ghana drew them and the U.S. beat Ghana. If A equals B and C is greater than B, does that mean C is greater than A? It's a long shot, but we'll find out.

Second round taking shape

With Groups A and B wrapping up play, the first pair of second-round matches are set. From here on, it's a straight knockout tournament: Winner goes on, loser goes home, no draws.

One match will feature two big-time attacking clubs in Brazil and Chile. Look for the game to be an end-to-end offensive assault, with neither team likely to sit back and play cautiously. Brazil will be the favorite, thanks to its home field advantage, but they have not looked good against quality opposition so far in this competition. (No, Cameroon does not count as quality.)

The other match will feature the Netherlands and Mexico. So far, the Dutch have looked like one of the best teams in the tourney, but Australia gave them a scare with a pressing, physical approach. Meanwhile, the Mexicans come in with loads of momentum, feeling like they can play with anyone.

Player of the day: Rafa Marquez, Mexico. It should pain any American to praise this most hated of rivals, but give credit where it's due. Marquez scored Mexico's first goal, assisted on the third, and did his share on the defensive end. Mexico's captain stepped up big time.

HIGHLIGHTS: Rafa Marquez put Mexico on the board in the 72nd minute, then the floodgates opened. » http://t.co/6RgHtwNSyg

It probably means nothing for the World Cup, but if Ghana somehow loses to Portugal by five goals on Thursday, it might be fair to wonder why.

Best match to watch Tuesday: Italy vs. Uruguay, 12 p.m. ET. One team moves on and the other goes home. No other game impacts this one. It's just two good teams with everything at stake. Uruguay needs a win to advance, while Italy moves on with a win or draw.